Nurse Licensure Compact Information

(click state in blue for contact info)

This page has been developed to provide the nurses of Texas information and updates regarding the NLC. The Texas Legislature adopted the Nurse Licensure Compact in 1999 and it was signed into law by Governor George Bush on June 19, 1999. It became effective on January 1, 2000. The compact is an agreement between states to recognize each others' licensees. This model of mutual recognition was developed by the National council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) to facilitate interstate practice and regulation. Benefits of the NLC include: The NLC allows nurses with compact licenses mobility to practice across state lines in other compact states with physically, telephonically, or electronically; compact state boards of nursing have established new levels of cooperation; and the public enjoys greater access to safe nursing care.

TEXAS COMPACT LICENSE

To be eligible for a Texas Compact License, a nurse must:
1. Reside in Texas as his/her legal residence
2. Hold an active RN/LVN license without current disciplinary action
3. Declare Texas as his/her primary state of residence
4. Meet Texas licensure requirements

When the nurse holding a Texas nursing license practices in another Compact State, he/she is accountable for complying with the nursing practice act of the state which the patient is located or where practice occurs.

FACT SHEETS:

VIDEO:

Video overview of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) explains the difference between single state and multistate licensure. Learn what states are compact states and registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/VNs) that are eligible for a multistate nursing license.